Ought to - Easy Learning Grammar

The use of ought to is similar to should, but it is much less frequent.Like should, the verb ought to does not have a past form. It is only used with reference to the present and the future.Ought to is rarely used in questions and negatives. When it is, it is confined mainly to formal styles.In negatives, not comes between ought and to. In questions, the subject comes between ought and to.

Ioughtnottohave said those things to her.

Oughtwetomake such a sacrifice for the benefit of future generations?

Ought to is used as follows:

to express an obligation or an expectation that someone should do something.

Youought tolisten carefully.

Weought toleave now.

Lucyought togo by herself.

Peopleought tobe a bit nicer to us.

to express the likelihood of something happening.

Annabelought tobe here by now.

The journeyought totake about 2 hours.

Ought to + have + past participle of main verb is used to express regret that something was not done or to reproach someone for doing or not doing something.

Iought to have spoken upearlier. I’m sorry.

Youought to have offeredto help.

Theyought to have toldus what to expect.

In questions and negatives, should is frequently used instead of ought to because it sounds more natural.